ASC-Plus - FIELD TEST PROCEDURE

The following is a field test procedure for the standard ASC-Plus charge controller. For BENCH TESTING, substitute a properly current-limiting power supply for the array.

TEST 1: Alternate A ( Active solar array required )

This will test the basic operation of the ASC-Plus by testing the FET’s (not shorted or open).

Requirements: digital multi-meter (dmm)

active solar array, Voc at least 17 volts

1) Connect the array plus and minus wires to the appropriate terminals on the ASC-Plus (no battery connection).

2) Measure voltage at BATT(+) and BATT(-) terminals on the ASC-Plus. The reading should be between 14.0 and 15.0 volts. If this reading is very high, 16-20 volts, or very low, 2-5 volts, the unit is defective.

TEST 1: Alternate B ( If no active solar array is available )

Tests for the most common failure condition: shorted FET’s. This problem would cause a “no charging” condition.

Requirements: digital multi-meter (dmm)

1) Remove all connections from the ASC-Plus

2) Set multi-meter to the 200W resistance scale

3) Take measurements from ASC-Plus terminals. Contact positive lead of the meter to ARRAY (+) and negative lead of meter to ARRAY (-). Reading should be open (>200W). A short (<10W) indicates unit is defective.

TEST 2

This procedure tests the condition of the blocking diode.

Requirements: digital multi-meter (dmm)

1) Remove all connections from the ASC-Plus

2) Set multi-meter to the 2KW resistance scale

3) Take measurements from ASC-Plus terminals. Contact positive lead of the meter to ARRAY (+) and negative lead of the meter to BATT (+). Reading should be less than 2KW. Above 2KW would indicate a defective unit.

4) Reverse contacts (positive lead to BATT (+) and negative lead to ARRAY (+)). Reading should be greater than 2KW. Below 2KW would indicate a defective unit.